Maureen McKade (16 page)

“I grew up in Ohio.”

When she didn’t expand, Matt frowned. “How’d you end up in Montana?”

“I saw an ad in the paper for a teacher, so I applied.”

“Which paper?”

Libby finished her ministrations and covered his
torso with the blankets. “Why are you asking all these questions?”

“Just curious is all.”

Libby crossed the room to the pump, then washed and dried her hands. “I’m going to heat some water and mix some of the camphor with it. Then I’ll have you breathe the vapors to open up your lungs even more.”

Matt spotted a black medical case on the floor. “What’s Eli’s bag doing here?”

“That’s my father’s old bag. I kept it after he died,” Libby answered.

“He must’ve taken good care of it. Looks almost new.”

Libby hesitated. “He did.”

Libby stood by the stove and stared at the kettle filled with water. With her arms crossed and her back ramrod straight, she appeared ready to go to battle.

“I ain’t going to bite you,” Matt said.

Libby turned and her wide eyes resembled a startled doe’s. It wouldn’t have surprised Matt if she had turned tail and run.

“What?” she asked.

“I said I ain’t going to bite you. Why don’t you sit down and keep me company?”

She shook her head. “The water will be ready in a few minutes.”

She acted like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He tried to remember if he’d done anything to cause the skittishness, but came up empty. He idly traced the scar, noting the scratchy whiskers surrounding the raised line, and grimaced. Not shaving for a few days made the jagged mark stand out in stark contrast to the dark bristles. Any mirror would’ve told him why she couldn’t stand to be near him.

“If you get my razor for me, I can shave,” Matt said.

From beside the stove, Libby turned. “You wouldn’t be able to hold the razor long enough to finish one side.”

“I figured you might not be so jumpy around me if I got rid of the beard.”

“What makes you think I’m nervous around you?”

“It’s clear you like being here as much as you’d like being caged with a rattlesnake.”

Libby strode to Matt’s side. “I’m not afraid of you, and I don’t mind staying until you’re back on your feet.”

With a swiftness surprising both of them, Matt’s hand latched on to Libby’s arm. “Maybe you should.”

A spark of terror flashed through her eyes, and she yanked out of his grasp and moved out of reach. Her nostrils flared with every uneven breath she drew, and Matt sensed she fought some inner skirmish for control. He regretted the impulse to frighten her, but he couldn’t tolerate her revulsion. He wanted her away from him before he did something stupid, like try to kiss her.

“You wouldn’t hurt me, Matt.”

The lingering fear in Libby’s face belied her firm tone, and anguish lashed like a whip across Matt’s soul. Though he’d tried to scare her, a part of him hoped she would see through his ruse. He’d chop off an arm rather than harm her, but she didn’t understand he had to protect himself, too.

He glanced at the stove. “The water’s boiling.”

Libby fixed up her concoction and set the kettle on the small table beside the bed. The fumes drifted over Matt and he wrinkled his nose. “You trying to kill me?”

She handed him a towel. “Put this over your head and the pot, then breathe.”

Matt grumbled but obeyed. After the water cooled and the vapors diminished, he removed the towel and leaned back in his bed.

Libby carried the kettle to the door, threw the contents out, and slipped back inside. She busied herself with small chores, and Matt suspected she worked the inconsequential tasks to avoid him.

Her somber skirt contained no bustle to hide the shape of her God-given body, and Matt heartily approved of the style. Unable to do anything but observe, he followed Libby’s movements with an admiring gaze. His loins reminded him he hadn’t been to Dresper to visit one of the gals at the Lucky Horseshoe in nearly three months. However, the thought of slaking his needs with Charity or Hope didn’t appeal to him. Temptation lay buried in the proper attire of Miss Libby O’Hanlon—and despite the pneumonia that robbed him of his strength, one part of him didn’t seem to be afflicted with such weakness.

The reason for his pleasant distress approached him.

She lay a cool palm against his forehead and frowned. “I thought your fever broke, but you’re feeling warm again. I’ll get a cool cloth and we’ll see if that brings it down.”

That ain’t going to bring down what needs to be brought down.
Matt closed his eyes and thought of ice-cold streams and bitter north winds. Anything but sweltering summer eyes and a lush behind made to be cupped in the palms of his hands.

A damp cloth settled on his forehead and his eyelids flickered open, capturing her gaze. Her pink tongue slid across her dry lips, and Matt groaned with a growing need to plunder the depths of her sweetness.

“Anybody home?”

Libby withdrew, breaking the spell. “Come in, Dr. Clapper.”

Eli entered and brushed the snow off his shoulders. Libby came forward to help him remove his coat.

“I’m glad you got my note,” she said.

Eli nodded. “I came straight over when I read it. Took me an extra day at the Justins’ to deliver a stubborn little girl. Now, what is this about pneumonia?”

“Matt came down with it last week. Dylan and I found him Friday,” Libby explained.

Eli stepped over to Matt. “Should’ve figured something like this would happen after that beef-brained stunt you pulled, tracking down those robbers in a blizzard. You got more pride than sense, Matt.”

“Don’t go giving me one of your sermons. Besides, Libby’s been lecturing me enough for both of you,” Matt said.

Eli snorted. “Fat lot of good they did, too.”

He removed his stethoscope from the bag and listened to Matt’s heart and chest. He looked at Libby. “What’d you do for him?”

“Kept him warm and spread oil of camphor on his chest. Gave him chicken broth and as much liquids as he wanted,” she replied.

Eli sniffed the air and his nose twitched. “Smells like you had him breathing camphor, too.”

Libby nodded.

“Seems to be working. Lungs sound pretty good, and his heart’s pounding like a smithy’s hammer. Fever?”

“I thought it broke last night, but he seems to be a little hot again.”

“I’m fine,” Matt muttered. “Would you two quit talking like I ain’t here?”

Eli cocked his head. “You hear something, Libby?”

She shook her head. “Must’ve been the wind.”

Eli chuckled.

Matt’s growl was interrupted by another bout of coughing. After he recovered, he lay back exhausted.

“Get some sleep, Matt. That’s the best thing for you now,” Eli said.

Much as Matt hated to admit it, he couldn’t remain awake any longer, and he drifted off to sleep.

Libby poured coffee and Eli joined her by the table. She traced her cup’s handle and rim with a nervous finger.

“He should be all right,” Eli stated. “You’ve done a fine job taking care of him.”

“Thank you,” Libby said. “My father taught me quite a bit when I went with him to visit sick folks.”

“I’m sure he did, but I’m also fairly certain there’s a lot of things you know that you aren’t admitting to. Take that bag for instance.”

Her fingers stilled on the coffee cup, her carefully sewn lies threatening to unravel. Caring for Matt and terrified she’d lose him, Libby hadn’t had a good night’s sleep for three nights, and tiredness dulled the edge of her fiercely guarded secrets. She glanced at her black medical case. “Like I told Matt, it was my father’s.”

Eli snorted. “If that bag’s more’n five years old, I’ll hang up my stethoscope. It’s not any of my business where you came from or what you’re running from, but I know Lenore and Matt worry about me, and I’m getting to a point where I’m ready to admit I need some help.”

“You don’t understand,” Libby said.

“What’s there to understand? You know medicine and I need an assistant. I realize you have an obligation as the schoolteacher here, but I wouldn’t be needing you that much to begin with. And maybe if you want, come next spring, you can quit teaching and work with me all the time.”

Four years ago Libby had prayed for such an offer to join an established doctor, but none had come, and Harrison had offered her another option.
If only …

Libby shook her head. “I’m not who you think I am.”

Eli’s wisdom-filled eyes studied her. “I got that
impression when you first arrived, but it’s not my place to be judging folks. I seen enough of you to know you got a fine head on your shoulders, and enough natural skill to be a damned fine nurse or even a doctor. I’m sure whatever you did, you had your reasons, and I’m equally certain you did the only thing you could. What do you say to my proposition?”

The barest flicker of hope sparked in Libby’s breast, and tears prickled her eyes. To do what she loved and have the support and acceptance of another doctor was more than she could have dreamed. She squelched the last remaining piece of doubt and nodded. “I think I’d like that. I’ve always had an interest in medicine.”

“You got more than an interest. You have a gift, and I hate to see anyone not use the talents the good Lord blessed them with.” Eli settled back in his chair and sipped his coffee. “I’d also hate to see you leave Deer Creek. In the month you’ve been here, you’ve done a world of good.”

“I haven’t done anything but get Mrs. Beidler riled,” Libby argued.

Eli chuckled. “Does that woman good to finally meet her match. Maybe it’ll open her eyes. You’ve given little Dylan a reason to stay out of trouble, and he about worships the ground you walk on. It’s a miracle what a little love and some attention can do for a boy. Same holds true for Matt.”

Libby smiled. “I keep him out of trouble?”

“More than you realize. What do you know about him?”

“I know he’s honest and compassionate, and he cares for Dylan like he’s his own. And I know he used to have a problem with drinking and he doesn’t know how to read.”

Eli’s bushy eyebrows shot upwards. “I’m surprised he told you about his lack of education, with his bull-headed pride.”

“Dylan let it slip tonight, but I had already figured it out. We talked Matt into sitting in with Dylan’s lessons.”

“That’s good. He was too stubborn to ask for help and too proud to admit it. No other schoolteacher we had figured out Matt’s illiteracy. I think they were too scared to get near him.”

“Why on earth were they scared of him?”

Eli chuckled. “That’s what I like about you, Libby. You got backbone and you don’t even know it.”

Libby’s face warmed and she wondered if he would’ve thought the same if he’d known the spineless coward she’d been with Harrison.

The mirth left Eli’s face. “You know your reputation is going to suffer, staying here with Matt.”

“I know, but I don’t see how I could’ve done things differently.”

Eli shrugged and filled a pipe with dark strands of tobacco. “As long as you understand you may become my assistant sooner than you think. Mrs. Beidler won’t be real forgiving.”

Libby frowned. “Why does she hold so much power in this town? Isn’t there anyone who’ll stand up against her?”

“There was nobody willing to risk her disapproval until you came. Of course, she didn’t sway the menfolk against Matt like she tried. The men in this town respect a man who used to be a Texas Ranger and fought in the war, so they don’t pay much mind to Adelaide’s haranguing about his drinking.” Eli puffed on the lit pipe and aromatic blue smoke circled above them. “She’s not a bad woman. Life dealt her a poor hand and she’s doing her best to stay in the game.”

“You’re more understanding than I am, Doctor. The way she talks about Dylan makes me want to throw that overstuffed goose in a stew pot.”

“Age has a tendency to mellow a person, Libby. Life doesn’t hold as many surprises as it used to,
because you’ve pretty much seen it all.” His keen gaze settled on her. “In fact, I doubt you could tell me anything that would shock me.”

Libby recognized the invitation to share her troubles, but no matter how much he reminded her of her father, she had no right to burden him with her affairs. She smiled gratefully. “I’ll remember that.”

Matt mumbled in his sleep, and Libby glanced at the bedroom door. She rose and walked into the room to check his temperature.

Libby returned to the table. “He feels a little warm.”

Eli nodded. “I know you said his fever broke yesterday evening, but he’ll continue to have a low-grade fever overnight until he’s completely shaken the pneumonia.” He pushed back his chair and stood. “I’d best head on over to Lenore’s and let her know I’m back. You need anything, give me a holler, but something tells me Matt’s in good hands.”

Libby followed Eli to the door. “Good night, and thanks for coming out.”

“You take care of that stubborn jackass—and you have my permission to tie him down if he won’t stay in bed,” Eli said. “Good night.”

Libby dropped the latch into place and leaned against the solid wood. The course of events had forced her to once more become involved in Matt and Dylan’s lives. She couldn’t have left Matt in the hands of someone who had no medical training, and she couldn’t let anyone else see her knowledge in treating him. Only one fortunate result came out of the episode—she had found an excuse to keep Dylan from attending classes: Matt’s illness. What excuse would she find for next week?

Doubts assailed her decision to work with Eli, but she firmly stamped them down. To be able to use her medical skills again had been too tempting a proposition
to refuse. No one would discover she actually was a doctor if she pretended to know less than she did. And later she would credit Eli for teaching her about medicine, so no one would question her knowledge. The arrangement seemed the perfect solution, and hope once again blossomed. Perhaps Fate had given her a chance to balance out the past injustices.

She rubbed sore, gritty eyes. She needed sleep but doubted she’d get much on the wood floor where she’d slept since staying with Matt. Her gaze strayed to the room where he lay on the large four-poster bed. The lure of resting on a soft mattress didn’t even cause a ripple in her conscience. Instead, a shiver of anticipation skittered up her spine. Sorely tempted to sleep on the other side of the bed, she had to talk herself out of such scandalous behavior. She sighed, resigned to another restless night on the cold floor.